Removing and installing front air distribution flap control motor V426 with potentiometer for front air distribution flap control motor G642 — VW

🧭 Before you start

Fits: platform codes AU1, BX5

Don't miss

• Check operation of flaps and hinge mechanism before fitting.Make sure levers and shafts are properly fitted in the mounts.
• Rotate the receptacle in the control motor if the mount and actuating arm do not align.
• If the bolts cannot be fitted, the control motor is not completely seated on the housing.
• Rotate control motor until it reaches a convenient position for installation. The direction of rotation can be changed by changing polarities.

🔩 Torque settings

Values can differ between engine variants — check the code stamped on your block.

ℹ️ Always cross-check the exact figure against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening — a wrong torque can damage the engine. These values are extracted from workshop data and may not cover every variant or revision.

📋 Procedure

1. Switch off all electrical consumers.
2. Switch off ignition.
3. Remove ignition key.
4. Remove dash panel General body repairs, interior70Dash panel: Removing and installing dash panel.
5. If fitted, remove entry and start authorisation control unit J518Electrical system94Entry and start authorisation system; Overview of fitting locations - entry and start authorisation system.

6. Remove footwell vent on driver side .
7. Unscrew bolts (arrows). [Note: The bolts are accessible from underneath behind the central tube.Use a magnetic screwdriver to unscrew the bolts or have a second mechanic hold a magnet over the bolt. If the bolt drops out it will fall out of reach into the duct trough. Retrieval then involves removing the dash panel.]
8. Pull off front air distribution flap control motor V426(4) and remove it.
9. Disconnect electrical connector (1). [Note: Check operation of flaps and hinge mechanism before fitting.Make sure levers and shafts are properly fitted in the mounts.]
10. The mounting of control motor (1) can only be fitted on actuating arm (2) in one particular position. [Note: Rotate the receptacle in the control motor if the mount and actuating arm do not align.]
11. Switch on ignition, connect respective control motor to vehicle wiring harness and select a setting on operating and display unit to set control motor to desired position (e.g. mid-position). Wait until control motor has moved to desired position and switch off ignition.
12. Fit control motor on air intake box. The actuating arm must engage in mounting (1)(arrow) while doing so. [Note: If the bolts cannot be fitted, the control motor is not completely seated on the housing.]
13. Route wiring harness so that it cannot come into contact with any moving parts (e.g. actuating arm on control motor). [Note: Rotate control motor until it reaches a convenient position for installation. The direction of rotation can be changed by changing polarities.]
14. Read event memory and erase any entries displayed. Then perform "“basic setting”" in "“Guided fault-finding”" mode.
15. As a final step, check operation of heater and air conditioning system.

Other VW procedures

• Removing engine · 41 torque figures
• Removing and installing camshaft – VW Golf Cabriolet · 47 torque figures
• Adjusting valve timing – VW Passat B5 · 83 torque figures
• Removing and installing camshafts – VW Passat B6 · 39 torque figures
• Removing and installing coolant pump · 53 torque figures
• Reworking cap nut in longitudinal member · 1 torque figures
• Renewing engine carrier rubber mounting
• Checking cooling system for leaks
• Aligning door window to B pillar · 1 torque figures
• Removing and installing alternator for 2.0 l 4-cylinder diesel engine